Tyler Olson

Olson did not allow an earned run over 30 appearances (20 innings) for the Indians in 2017. His skills are good -- 8.1 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 0.00 HR/9 -- but the home-run rate in particular is an outlier com...

A starter in the minors in 2014, Olson made the roster out of spring training last year as the second lefty in the bullpen. He lasted only 11 appearances, though, before his 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 13.1 innings were jettisoned along with his 5.40 ERA. He fared better at Triple-A Tacoma (25 games, six starts), posting a 3.12 K:BB ratio and a 4.47 ERA that was in part a product of a .352 BABIP. A 2013 seventh-round pick out of Gonzaga, Olson doesn't throw hard, relying on a high-80s cutter, but he has a deceptive delivery that changes arm angles to keep batters off balance. His slider is his best pitch to lefties, but he also throws a curveball and changeup. He made six starts in the Dominican winter league with little success (5.91 ERA). He was designated for assignment in December and subsequently traded to the Dodgers, who then designated him in January.